Standing on a grassy patch and baking under the summer sun, Tangie Gagnon stood next to her daughter, Melissa Dooley, and wiped away tears as she stared at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre.

Gagnon’s eldest child, 41-year-old Jamie Dooley, spent his final moments in jail before dying on May 28.

“It takes less than one night to die here, but [Jamie] managed to live on the street for three years without an overdose or even one close call,” Melissa told CBC Hamilton, saying his death has been “catastrophic” for her family.

It’s been almost a month since Dooley died and questions are swirling about how it happened.

Andrew Morrison, a spokesperson for Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General, confirmed a prisoner died on May 28.

He said an investigation is underway, but couldn’t share any other details.